Nintendo Samples in Hip-Hop

Sampling in hip-hop is common and fans sometimes have an ear for catching a specific beat on a track. Typically, these beats are from other songs, but some have taken the tunes straight from the Nintendo video games we all know and love.

If you listen closely, you can spot the beats and sound effects from some of the biggest Nintendo games: Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda.

The Mario Bros. brand is featured in quite a few hip-hop songs.

The original theme from the 1985 Super Mario Bros. is sampled on Saigon’s 2010 track “Get Busy.” The Star World theme from the 1990 version is featured in DRAM’s hit “Cha Cha.” Lil Yhachty samples the File Select tune from the 1996 Super Mario 64 on his song “Run/Running.”

Lil B borrows the Fishing Hole theme from the 2006 version of The Legend of Zelda on his “Pretty Boy Prayer (Interlude).”

The Aquatic Ambiance tune from the 1994 Donkey Kong Country is sampled by Childish Gambino on “Eat Your Vegetables.” Drake borrows the Haunted Chase theme from the 1995 Donkey Kong Country 2 on “6 God.”

Aside from the theme songs, some of Nintendo’s characters sound effects can be found on some hip-hop’s hits.

ScHoolboy Q uses the toad spinning sound from the 1996 Mario Kart 64 for his “Break The Bank.”

Zelda lovers, listen for the 1998 voice of Navi on G-Eazy and Carnage’s “Gula.”

Listen on A$AP Mob’s Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 for the skull kid’s laugh from the 2000 version of Zelda and for the voice of Yoshi from the 1990 Super Mario World on “Young N***a Living.”